I just bought an old Vantage bass the other day and I'm having trouble figuring out exactly what year it is. The serial number on the back reads 072467 and I've come across two different dates. One being 1980 while CoPilot says it's 1976. Which is correct? I believe it is a VS650B model but since I'm new to this, I cannot confirm that either. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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My first bass-help
- Thread starter AdirondackTroll
- Start date
Vantage VS-650B
From an advert: THE NEW WEAPON FOR ROCK. Not so lang ago the only way to get some people to listen to you was with a shotgun. Sometimes you still need the power of a weapon to deliver your message.…
www.vantage-guitars.com
From what I can tell, I believe your bass is a VS650B. The 650 version had a single Precision pickup and a bolt on neck.
The set neck model was a VS710B. It had dual P-Bass pickups.
Though it's mostly marketing "fluff", the link below offers more information...
To be fair to the manufacturer, in the late 70's/early 80's the mindset was... heavy instruments = tons of sustain. Heavy basses like the aluminum Kramers were totally acceptable. In fact, I remember going into Guitar Center with my friends and scoffing at any light-weight Les Pauls on the wall. Nowadays, everyone wants a bass or guitar that weighs as little as possible.
The set neck model was a VS710B. It had dual P-Bass pickups.
Though it's mostly marketing "fluff", the link below offers more information...
These basses kind of followed the "natural" finish trend that was big during the early 80's. They had a very decent sound, were bullet-proof, and had a fairly comfortable neck. The drawbacks were the weight (due to the maple and walnut bodies) and the three-point Gibson style bridge (which were kind of "meh", at best).To be fair to the manufacturer, in the late 70's/early 80's the mindset was... heavy instruments = tons of sustain. Heavy basses like the aluminum Kramers were totally acceptable. In fact, I remember going into Guitar Center with my friends and scoffing at any light-weight Les Pauls on the wall. Nowadays, everyone wants a bass or guitar that weighs as little as possible.
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Vantage 600B
July 1980 Number 2467 in the production line
Made at the famous Matsumoku factory of course
Edit 650B owing to the light colour body, as per Mustang Surly's previous post
The Models Specification
– electric, acoustics and bass guitars By pictures ‘The First One’ Electric guitars Vantage V-100 ‘Avenger’ Series Electric guitars Vantage AV-310 Vantage AV-315 Vanta…
www.vantage-guitars.com
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Congratulations! your bass has major mojo. I love Matsumoku basses.
However If it is indeed a full scale bass, and the bridge is that far into the body, and the top strap button lined up to the 17th or 18th fret, I imagine that the neck-dive must be tremendous.
However If it is indeed a full scale bass, and the bridge is that far into the body, and the top strap button lined up to the 17th or 18th fret, I imagine that the neck-dive must be tremendous.
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Cool, thank you for clarifying for me.Vantage 600B
July 1980 Number 2467 in the production line
Made at the famous Matsumoku factory of course
Edit 650B owing to the light colour body, as per Mustang Surly's previous post
The Models Specification
– electric, acoustics and bass guitars By pictures ‘The First One’ Electric guitars Vantage V-100 ‘Avenger’ Series Electric guitars Vantage AV-310 Vantage AV-315 Vanta…
Honesty, I removed it to clean and polish the body. It was pretty faded and dirty. I just dropped the bridge in at that level so it wouldn’t fall off while moving it. I’ll get everything set up once I’m done detailing it.Congratulations! your bass has major mojo. I love Matsumoku basses.
However If it is indeed a full scale bass, and the bridge is that far into the body, and the top strap button lined up to the 17th or 18th fret, I imagine that the neck-dive must be tremendous.
View attachment 7490331
View attachment 7490332
That confirms the 650B then. The 600B scale length is a little over 34"
Anyhow, you have a piece of bass manufacturing history there.
I just popped in to say that is one nice looking bass! Congratulations!
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